First assessment of patients with NET
Patients schedule appointments at outpatient clinics by contacting the secretariat of the Neuroendocrine Tumor Center (2107462217) or by calling the hospital appointment scheduling number (1535).
Diagnostic examination of patients with NET
Diagnostic tests of patients with NET include basically blood and urine tests, imaging tests (magnetic resonance imaging, somatostatin receptor scintigraphy – octreoscan or 68Ga-PET / CT) and probably interventional procedures (endoscopic ultrasound, or biopsy). Further tests that may be requested include histopathological examination, 18FDG-PET / CT scintigraphy, bone scintigraphy, and sometimes molecular (genetic) testing.
The patients are referred for the haematological and biochemical blood and urine tests to the respective laboratories of the General University Hospital of Athens “Laiko” and the group “Biomedicine”. For the imaging examinations, CT and MRI scans are referred to the branch of Biomedicine based in Peristeri, Attica, where the imaging is evaluated by the radiologist collaborating with the centre.
In case a re-examination of the histopathological samples is needed, it is performed at the Pathology Department of the General Hospital of Athens “Evangelismos”.
Functional scintigraphy of somatostatin receptors is performed at the Department of Nuclear Medicine of the General Hospital of Athens “Laiko” and the University General Hospital “Attikon” for Octreoscan and at the Institute for Biological Research of the Academy of Athens for Ga-PET/CT.
If an endoscopic ultrasound is required, patients are referred to the Gastroenterology Department of the General Hospital of Athens “Georgios Gennimatas” following an appointment which is scheduled by the secretariat of the Center for Neuroendocrine Neoplasms.
Liver biopsies are performed in the department of invasive radiology of the University General Hospital of Athens “Laiko” after admission of the patient to the APPK which is the clinic where the Center for Neuroendocrine Neuroscience Expertise belongs. In addition, catheterization of the pancreatic arteries is performed in the same section in order to accurately detect small functioning NETs (insulinomas, gastrinomas) that are not detected by conventional methods.
In addition, in some cases it is performed, in collaboration with the ENETS Center of Excellence Royal Free of London, genetic testing (NETest) that according to recent studies helps to estimate the activity of the disease and the probability of response to specific treatment modalities. This test is available only in specific medical departments globally and is considered to be the future gold-standard method for the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with NETs.
Treatment and follow-up of patients with NET
Treatment of patients with NETs includes surgical exclusion, medical treatment (molecularly targeted therapies and chemotherapy), radiopeptide therapy as well as local techniques such as embolization / chemoembolization, radiofrequency ablation etc. In certain cases, a combination of therapies (such as surgery and medication) may be used.
The operations of patients with NET are performed in the two surgical clinics of the University General Hospital of Athens “Laiko” depending on the workload of each clinic with a clear priority in emergencies. In case embolization / chemoembolization is recommended, it is performed in the department of invasive radiology of the University General Hospital of Athens “Laiko” after admission of the patient to the APPK.
Medical treatment with somatostatin analogues or with oral targeted agents and chemotherapy is performed on an external basis with simultaneous monitoring of patients at the Neuroendocrine Neoplasm Expertise Center. In case of intravenous chemotherapy, the patient is referred to the oncology department of the University General Hospital “Attikon” where he is evaluated by the oncologist collaborating with the centre and receives treatment according to a specific schedule based on international guidelines.
If the patient needs treatment with radiopeptides, he is referred to the Department of Nuclear Medicine of the University General Hospital “Attikon” where he is evaluated by the nuclear doctors collaborating with the centre and after approval by the hospital board, he is treated with radiopeptides according to international guidelines.
In particular, the following outpatient clinics are performed from the various departments of the Center.
| SPECIALIZED OUT-PATIENT CLINIC | Day | Time | Place | Treating Physicians |
| Out-patient clinic of Neuroendocrine Oncology | Monday | 1000-1400 | 16 Sevastoupoleos str.
(LAIKO Specialized Outpatient Clinics) 5th floor |
Gregory Kaltsas, Marina Tsoli, Elli Anagnostou |
| Out-patient clinic of Neuroendocrine Oncology | Tuesday | 830-1400 | 17 Agiou Thoma str.
(LAIKO Outpatient Clinics) 1st floor |
Gregory Kaltsas, Marina Tsoli |
| Out-patient clinic of Neuroendocrine Oncology | Friday | 1000-1430 | 16 Sevastoupoleos str.
(LAIKO Specialized Outpatient Clinics) 5th floor |
Gregory Kaltsas, Marina Tsoli, Elli Anagnostou |